A Couples Guide To Documentary Style Wedding Photography (PDF)

Couples Guides

A Couples Guide To Documentary Style
Wedding Photography
By Simon Donnelly

Documentary Style Wedding Photography

Often coupled with natural and traditional styles, documentary wedding photography is
also known as Reportage or Photo-journalistic Wedding Photography.
It’s a much more informal approach which creates images similar to those editorial
features you see in magazines, it can lead to great results, spontaneous moments or
thoughtful reflections all adding to the complete story of your day.
For me, shooting this kind of work is fun. I basically need to sneak shots and only be seen
after taking pictures as they unfold around me. Shots should convey the story of the special
day and cover a spectrum of emotions.
As a documentary wedding photographer I normally use long lenses taking pictures
candidly, mingling in with the other guests so I can’t be seen, sniper shots can be gems and
give an almost filmatic look and so it should when its one of the biggest events in
someone’s life you want to look like a superstar.

Photo Opportunities
Along with this celebrity status you don’t necessarily want to be told what to do by a
photographer. I use documentary style often as it lends itself to showing expressions
naturally.
I’ve found the best times to use this style are as the bride or groom get ready with friends
and family, guests as they start to arrive is another good one, anything from unpacking the
kids from cars to fixing button holes or wiping a baby’s nose they all make great photo
opportunities.
It could be getting changed or the joys of doing some final ironing. Capturing the
expression of that very first glimpse of each other at the ceremony or the joy of celebrating
with your friends after.

2

Precious Time
Speeches are also prime spots to get fun images which paint a picture not just of the scene
but of each personality too.
It’s better for the flow of an event if I’m shooting in the background rather than marching
around being a nuisance and blocking views of the other guests. The general chit chat time
after the ceremony and just before dinner is when people really start to relax and I’m able
to get great documentary style pictures. Speeches are also prime times to get fun images
which paint a picture not just of the scene but of each personality.
It’s better for the flow of an event if I’m shooting in the background rather than marching
around being a nuisance and blocking views of the other guests at this precious time.
Documentary style pictures should take you back to a particular time and show the
humankind around you in high emotion. This is one of the few opportunities where all your
family and friends are together in one place for one night. Unfortunately the bride and

3

groom can’t see it all, good documentary wedding photography should show couples a lot
of things they will have missed so it's always a winner.
That’s why I combine documentary wedding photography into my normal everyday
working practise. It’s a fantastic medium to use if your camera shy or just doesn't like being
told what to do. The beauty of documentary photography is you don't even have to look at
the camera.
Pictures will portray the real you as opposed to someone who’s been ordered to look at a
camera, even if that means balling your eyes out in a totally emotional moment, chances
are, it will make a great shot.
More information can be found here:​ ​https://simondonnelly.com

4

Contact Info:
Name: Simon Donnelly
Email: simon@simondonnelly.com
Organization: Simon Donnelly Photographer
Address: Colman Hill, Halesowen, England B63 2AL, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 1384 637333
Website:​ ​https://www.simondonnelly.com
Source: Simon Donnelly Photographer Birmingham

5